Whitney Houston's death won't slow down 'Waiting to Exhale' sequel

Last May we learned from Angela Bassett that Forest Whitaker was hard at work prepping a sequel to his 1995 hit drama, Waiting to Exhale. Based on Terry McMilllan's acclaimed novel, the film proved to be a phenomenon with women everywhere, earning over $80M at a time when successful movies predominantly featuring African-American women were a rarity. The film starred Bassett, Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, and Whitney Houston following up her breakthrough turn in 1992's The Bodyguard.  With the tragic death of Houston over the weekend, there was some question whether or not the sequel would proceed, but Fox 2000 President Elizabeth Gabler has made it clear the film will continue as a tribute to the fallen singer....

Gabler:"I don’t think she would want it to," It’s almost in her honor that we think to soldier on."

Whitaker will return to direct, and a panel of writers have been brought on to bang out a script. The principle characters are expected to return, but it's unclear whether Houston's role as TV exec Savannah Jackson will be played by someone else or written out in some way....

Gabler: "We literally have not talked about anybody for that part," Forest, I know, is just ... grieving. He’d been the one who was speaking with her, updating (Houston) on its progress."

Houston's final silver screen performance will come in August with the release of Sparkle, a remake of the 1976 musical based loosely on The Supremes. 

To me this always seemed like a bad idea, as that film stand perfectly well on it's own and never needed a sequel. In the wake of Houston's death, I'm more convinced this is probably one idea that should be put on the shelf. [THR]